Coupling assembly



Sept. `25, 1945. L. YAGER ETAL 2,385,595

' COUPLING ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 11, -1944 1o sheets-sheet 1` www@ . A nom. www Nw, Lia@ Lunar niger, '2y John WCzmrz @2M MW 10 Shee-ts-Sheet 2 sept. 2 5, 1945.-

L.. YAGER ETAL QouPLING4 AssEMl-BLY Filed Aug. l1, 1944 SPfj 25, 1.945- YAGER ETAL 2,385,596

COUP LING AS SEMBLY 10 Sheets-Sheet 5" Filed Aug.. 1l, 1944 Louis mvngs, 7

Sept. 25, 1945; YAGER ETAL I COUPLING AS SEMBLY Filed Aug. 11, 1944 1o sheets-sheet 6 ,ufs Yager, y n

,VN fx1. A, 1l i V1. f

l Y sept 25, 1945- L'. YAGER- EfrAL 2,385,596 I COUPLING ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 11, 1944 1o sheets-sheet' "7 Sept. 25, 1945. L- YAGER r-rrAl. I

COUPLING ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 11, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Sept; 25, 1945- l l L. YAGER raTAl.r l 2,385,596

COUPLING ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. l1, 1944 l0 Sheets-Sheet` 9 Sept. 25,*1945. v l.. YAGER ET AL 'v y2,385,596

COUPLING ASSEMBLY 4 y Filed Aug. ll, 1944 410 Sheets-Sheet lO lip/uis Yaya', .Zbzn W Summing@ www( Pmtea sept 25, 1945 UNITED STATES 'PAT-ENT v,ori-ics ooUPLING ASSEMBLY Louis Yager and John W. Cummings,

' New York, N. Y.-

Application August 11, 4194:4, Serial No. 548,992

23 Claims.

to allow the ball to be moved into the socket or' removed therefrom. Pressure means associated with the movable sections tend to urge them to- -ward each other to retain the ball in the socket,

and a locking member dcoacts with the pressure means to insure the movable sections being firmly engaged with the ball. Means operatively connected to the pressure means and the locking vmember serves to release the pressure on the movable sections and also releases the locking member from the movable sections to allow withdrawal of the coupler ball from the socket.

A further object consists in providing a tractor with a base having a socket, and a ramp for guiding a ball on al trailer into and from the socket, said socket having movable sections normally closed by pressure means and arranged to b moved and held in an open position to permit entrance of the ball into the socket and withdrawal therefrom. A locking member pivoted on the base normally assumes a position substantially parallel with the ramp and is arranged to be swung upwardly to engage and retain the movable sections of the socket in their closed position.- 'I'he locking-member is also provided with spaced means arranged to engagethe movable sections of the socket when the latte'r are in their open position, and to extend into the path of the ball as the latter moves upwardy on the ramp so as to be depressed thereby and thus automatically release .the movable sections and swing the .locking member inito engagement with these sctions when the ball is moved completely into the socket. '1

Another object consists in providing a coupling ortrailer hitchiassembly with a-base having a socket including movable sections operable ,to permit a-coupler ball to be moved into the socketorI removed therefrom, and in which compression means associated with the -movablesections acts to maintain these sections in their closed posiand a movable shaft is operatively connected to the dog levers'through a universal coupling for controlling the compressive action of the compression means. The parts are constructed and arranged to constitute simple, eflicent and positive means for automatically and expeditiously latching or unlatching a tractor to a trailer at a minimum expenditure of time and effort.

Referring to the drawings in which is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1 is a side view of the coupling assemlbly showing the` coupler ball secured in the socket, Y

Figure 2 is a plan-view of the .socket member' or base with the ball removed and the parts in their closed position,

Figure 3 is a front view of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a rear view of Figure 1, i Figure 5 is a plan view similar to Figure 2` with the parts in their opened position,

Figure 6 is a side view similar to Figure 1 showing the coupler ball being advanced towards tion. Additionally, means preferably in the form of a pair of doglevers are vpositioned to contract the compression means to release the pressure thereof on the movable sections of the socket,

the socket,

Figure 'I is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Figure 2,

'Figure-8 is a sectional view taken substantially' along the line 8-8 of Figure v2,

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 9*--9 of Figure 2,

Figure 10 isa central longitudinal section of the coupling assembly showing the coupler ball clamped in the socket,

Figure l1 is a skeleton elevational View of the operating means for unlocking the coupling assembly, to release the coupler ball, the full-line showing of-the levers and arms indicating the locked positions 'of the parts, andthe broken-line indicating the unlocked positions,

Figure 12 is a detailed cross sectional view of the operating shaft and its associated parts, taken substantially online I2-I2 of Figure 2,

Figure 13 is a fragmental .'front view of the socket member of the coupling showing the spring in its compressed position for releasing the movable socket members and showing the drag links in dotted lilies in one of their operative positions,

Figure v14 is a detailed sectional plan view showingthe operative connection of the actuating lever with the operating shaft and the locking member,

Figure 15 is a detailed plan view of oneof the spring cap members,

Figure 16 is a side view of Figure 15, Figure 17 is a side view of one of the dog levers,

Figure 18 is a front view of Figure 17,-

I extending guide rod 3I.

Figure 19 is a detailed plan view o1' -one of the drag links, and

Figure 20 is a side view of Figure 19.

Referring to the drawings, I8 designates a base or supporting plate which extends rearwardly from a towing vehicle such as a tractor or the like, not shown, and has at its rear end an lnclined ramp II. yA centrally disposed cylindrical socket I2 (Figure 1) projects upwardly from the base and is arranged to receive a coupling ball or depending memb'erl I3 connected by the threaded bolts |4 to the underside of a b'ar or member I5 that extends forwardly from the front of the trailer. The'socket i 2 preferably comprises a semi-circular xed section I6 that extends upwardly and medially from the forward portion of the base and a pair of movable sections or jaws I1 and i8. Each of the jaws is similarly shaped and h'as an intermediate curved portion |9 (Fig. 5) connected to a forward curved portion by an offset shoulder 2| so that the portions 20 overlap the adjacent sides of the xed section I6 of the socket. 'Ihe forward or front ends of the movable sections I 1 and I8 are pivoted by the vertical bolts 22 to the base and have extending forwardly therefromspaced arms or members 23 provided with reduced flat terminal portions or heads 24 preferably of the shape as shown in Figure 5. Each of'the heads 24 extends between apair of spaced flat arms 25 having elongated aligned slots 26 (Fig. 2) which loosely receive threaded bolts or Apins 21 carried by the heads 24, and removably secured thereto by the nuts 28.. 'I'he spaced arms 25 are connected by reduced portions 29 (Fig. 16) to a cap or socket member 38 having .an inwardly A strong and durable coil compression spring 32 has its ends extending into the caps and rods 3| and tends to move the arms 23 ofthe socket outwardly and ythe opposite ends of the movable sections inwardly towards each other toclose the socket and retain the ball therein. An operating shaft 33 is rotatably mounted in spaced bearings 34, l35

and 36 connected by threaded bolts 31 (Fig. 12) and the nuts 38 to the under side of the front end of the base. An actuating lever 39 is keyed or otherwise secured at its lower end to the shaft y 33 and has its upper end pivotally connected as at l4|) to a rod 4| which extends forwardly so as to be conveniently actuated by the operator of the tractor. Keyed to the shaft 33 intermediate the ends thereof is an arm 42 having spaced lugs 43 (Fig. 3) to which is pivotally connected the lower end of a rod 44 as at d5. The upper end of the rod 44 is similarly connected as at d5 to spaced depending lugs 41 on a member 48 which, in turn, has spaced upwardly extending ears H9 (Fig. 10) disposed at right angles to the lugs 41. Extending laterally from opposite sides of the member 48 are drag links 58 which have their inner enlarged ends 5I and 52 positioned within the ears 49 and provided with aligned transverse openings through which extends a threaded bolt 53 carried by the` ears 49 and secured thereto by the nut 54. Each ofthe outer ends of the drag links 58 is formed .with an elongated slot 55 to which is pivotally and slidably connected as at 56 a dog lever 51. The lower arm 58 of each of the dog levers terminates in a ball 59 mounted in a curved socket 88 formed by the clamping members 6| which are secured by the threaded bolts B2 and 63 to the base I8 in such' a Inan-v ner that the balls 59 permit the arms 58 to be .swung laterally towards and away from each other. Each of the dogs 51 has extending upwardly therefrom bifurcated arms 68 which extend between the arms 29 of the caps 38 so as to bear against the outer sides 'of the caps to control the tension of the compression spring 32. Thus, it will be seen that the shaft 33 is operatively connected to the dog levers 51 by a universal coupling which causes the drag-links 50 to'swing downwardly as the arm 42 is rotated by the shaft 33 and the upper ends 54 of the dog levers 51 to be moved toward each other to release the pressure of the spring 32 on the movable sections I1 and I8 of the socket. A transverse link 22 connects the upper ends of the bolts 22 (Fig. 2) and provides a tie-bearing or reinforcement for the bolts adjacent the pivoted connection of the jaws I1 and I8 with the base I8.

Keyed tothe operating shaft 33 and extending downwardly therefrom is an armor lever 65, the lower end of which is pivotally connected to a rearwardly extending rod 66 as at S1. The rear end of the rod 55 is pivotally connected as at 68 to an arm 69 pivoted between its ends as at 1U to. spaced depending brackets 1I on the under side of the base |0. The upper end of arm or crank lever 16 integral with a pivoted transverse alignment with the stud 11.

stud 11 that extends outwardly from one side of the locking member 8|. A similarly shaped pivoted stud 11' (Fig. 14) extends from the opposite side of the locking member 8| and is in 'I'he outer ends of these studs are recessed and have tapered inner walls which receive trunnions or pintles 18 which extend transversely through the base I8 and have their inner ends 19 tapered so as to rotatably engage the inner walls of said recesses. nions 18 are threaded as at 19' to receive the clamping nuts for firmly maintaining the trunnions in a fixed position, and terminate in a square tool receiving head 88'. The locking member 8| preferably is of substantially inverted U-shape and has side arms. 82y to which are integrally connected, adjacent their lower ends, the pivoted studs 11 and 11', and an intermediate stud or rod 82' (Fig. 7) that is coaxial with the studs 11 and 11 and is rotatable inthe base I0. These studs, of course, could be in the form of a one-piece sh'aft extending through the arms 82 and the base and suitably fastened thereto to impartmovement to the locking member.

The top of the base I8 is formed with spaced depressions 83 which receive spaced transversely disposedtail pieces 84 that extend outwardly and angularly from the lower endsl of the arms 82. fIhe locking member 8|, is supported on the DiV- oted studs 11 and 11' by slotted bearings 85 with which are associated strain blocks 86 integral with the tail pieces 84 and are loosely mounted in'offset portions 81 of the depressions 83 adjacent and below the studs 11 and 11' (Fig. 9). The blocks-86 contact the under side of the bearings as at 88 and follows a snug curve in the wall of the oiset portions 81 so as to assist in firmly maintaining the lock 8| in its vertical or closed position. 'I'he rear end of the movable sections 'I1 and I8 of the socket member are formed centrally with outwardly extending portions or arms 89 having at vertical sides which'abuteach other when the socket is closed. The locking member 8| is of such shape and dimensions that the arms The outer end portions of the trun- =firmly against the coupler ball I3.

arm 89 when the latter are in their closed position to retain the movable sections of the socket The spring 32 servesto close the socket while the locking member 8| holds the members I1 and I8 in their closed position.

'I'he upper surface stantially U-shaped recess of the ramp II has a sub- ,90 (Fig. 2) arranged to receive the locking Amember 8| when the latter is moved away from the movable sections to its inoperative position. Inclined fenders 9| Yextend forwardly from the ramp and have their converging ends spaced apart slightlywider than the diameter of the coupling ball I3 so as to guide to a pair of spaced depending brackets 99 (Fig. 14)

on the under side of the base I0. A coil spring encircles a portion of the rod 96 and is confined between the blocks 94 and 91 so that when the locking member 8| is in its closed position, the fulcrum point 95 (Fig. 8) is below and past dead center of the pivot of the stud 11 of the locking member, with the result that the spring |00 expands to yieldably maintain the lock 8| in engagement with the arms 89 of the movable socket sections I1 and I8. the intermediate portions I9 of the movable sections |1 and I8 of the socket is formed with a recess or notch -IOI (Fig. 6) which is arranged to be engaged by a portion of an adjacent ta'l piece `84 when the movable sections are in their open position so as to maintain them in this position until the tail pieces 84 are depressedby the coupler ball I3. Preferably, the locking member 8|, tail pece 84. locks 86, lever 16 and 92 and stud 11, 11' and 82' are all of one piece in order to simplify manufacturing and reduce the number of parts and can be formed from any suitable casting. Manifestly, these parts could be made separately and connected to provide a unitary operative structure. The trunnions 18 to which the vstuds 11 and 11 are rotatably connected, tends to maintain the locking member 8| 1n proper position and also act to prevent the studs from moving out of the supporting bearings 85 or from chattering. When the locking member 8| is moved to its inoperative position in recess 90, the vtail pieces 84 on the arms 82 of the locking member are of sufllcient length and width to project upwardly from the base I0 so as to be positioned in the path of movement of the coupler ball I3 and also engage the under side of the' movable sections I1 and I8.

In operation, assuming it is desired to connect a trailer to a tractor, and the'parts are in the position as shown in Figure and the movable sections I1 and I8 of the socket member are opened and retained in this position by engagement -of the tail pieces 84 which now extend into the re.- cesses IOI of the movable sections. The locking member 8| is now positioned in the recess 90 of the 'ramp and is yieldably maintained in this position by the expansion of the spring |00 which now swings to assume the inclined position shown in Figure 6 and thus acts against the 'arm 92 to maintain the locking member in a position substantially -fiush with the upper surface .of the ramp. The springs 32 and |09 are now under The under side of each of arm 92 is swung rearwardly during the closing.

ithe position shown in Fig.

maximum compression and the dog levers 51 assume the position shown in full lines in Figure 13. This will not allow free automatic movement of the socket members I1 and I8 about their A pivots 21 for the reason that will now be explained. The operating lever 39 and rod 4| which previously had to be moved outwardly to cause the jaws I1 and I8 -to be moved to their open position are now actuated by the operator of the tractor so asto be returned to their original or closed position (Figure 3), in order to allow the ball I3 to release the socket members I1 and I8 automatically. This operation is effected by reason of the elongated slots 26, 55 and 13 in the members 25, 50 and 14, respectively, which permit the shaft 13 and its associated parts, including the drag links '50, to assume the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 13 without disturbing the /dog levers 51 or the locking engagement of the socket members I1 and I8.with the tail pieces movable socket members I1 and I8 which are now under the full pow r of compression spring 32, are held in this position and cannot be released until the operating lever -39 and rod 4I are moved from the full line position shown in Figure 11 toA Consequently, it is necl the dotted line position. essary for the operating lever 39 to be returned to its closed position in order that the ball I3 may Arelease the movable socket members I1 and I8 automatically and just immediately before the ball enters the socket I2. As the tractor backs under the trailer, the ball I3 (Fig. 6) engages the ramp II and is guided by the fenders 9| upwardly towards the socket I2. The tail pieces 84 are now positioned in the path of the ball I3 and as the latter moves towards its running position, it contacts the tail pieces 84 forcing them downwardly, thus releasing the movable socket members I1 and I8 therefrom. The socket members "I1 and I8 are now forced by the heavy compression from spring 32 tovmove inwardly and close against the ball I3 and snap shut when the ball is completely within the socket. As the ball I3 pushes down theftail pieces 84 into their depressions 83, the lock 9| be.- gins to rise upwardly from the recess behind the movable sections I1 and I8, and when the ball is completely within the socket, the arms 89 of the movable sections engage locking member 8| is swung about its pivot 11 to 'I so as to coact with the spring 32 to retain the movable socket members in their closed position against the ball I3. As the movement of the locking member 8| (Fig. 1), the

spring |00 tends to exert a force on the locking 2 'member to maintain it in its vertical closed position. As the lock 8| rotates in its slotted bearings to engage the arms 99, it is held firmly in position not only by the slotted bearings but also by the movement of the strain blocks 86 which folflow the snug curved portion 88 (Fig. 9) in the depressions 83 so as to produce a wedging action that tends to insure the locking member 8| being firmly but releasably maintained in engagement with the sides of the arms 89 of the movable sections of the socket but slightly spaced from the top thereof (Fig. '1). Thus it will be seen'that'the movable sections section I6 to provide a closed socket for positively retaining the ball I3 therein, while the action of the compression spring 32 and spring |00 tend to further insure the locking held firmly in its closed position; Conversely, when it is desired to release the ball I3 from the socket I2 to separate the tractor from the trailer,

84. In other words, the

each otherand the I1 and I8 coact with the fixedv member 8| being ly positioned near lthe seat of the operator.

`the rod 4I of the vehicle, it rotates the shaft 33 which, in-

the operator in the cab or at any other part of the towing vehicle, actuates the rod 4i by movement of a hand lever, foot pedal or the like convenient- The operating shaft 4I and its associated parts are A now moved from the position shown -in Figure 1 to that shown in dotted lines in Figure 11, and as is pulled forwardly toward the front turn, causes the arm' 42 to swing downwardly and also swings the arm 65 to move the rod 66 and its associated parts to the position shown in Figure 6. When this occurs, the arm 42 which is connected through the arm 44 and member 48 -wlth the drag links 50, swings these links downwardly ing member when the coupling ball'is secured in and slightly forwardly tothe position shown in Figure 13, thus rocking the arms 5B of the dog levers inwardly towards each other so as to compress the spring 32 in order to release the pressure thereof on the movable sections I1 and I8 of the socket, and permit these sections toV swing freely about their pivots 21. At the same time; the downward swinging movement of the Aarm 65 acts to push the rod 66 rearwardly and the upper end of arm 69 and the rod ,13 forwardly. This movement of the 'rod 13actuates the arm 16 which, in turn, rotates the studs 11 and 11 and the lock 8| so as to move the latter away from engagement with the arms 89 of the movable sections I1 and I8 and downwardly towards the recess 90 in the ramp II. The tractor is now moved or driven forwardly so` that the pressure of the ball I3 against the unlocked movable sections I1 and I8 swings the latter and the arms 88 outwardly-to allow the ball to slide freely from the socket and down the ramp. As the ball I3 moves over the base plate I 0 it passes the top end of the lock 8| so as to push the same into the recess 96 where the lock is held by the compression of spring |00 (Fig. 6). When the lock 8| 90, .the integral tail pieces 84 on the arms 82 move upwardly from the depressions 83 into the notches IUI (Fig. 6) in the under sides of the movable .sections I1 and I8 so as releasably to hold these sections in their opened position. The operating lever'4I is now returned to its original or closed position as shown in full lines in Figure 11 so that when the ball I3 is again moved up on the ramp for .the purpose of connecting the trailer to the tractor, the parts will be arranged so that immediately before. the .ball I3 enters the socket I2, it will release engagement of the tail piece 84 with the movable socket members I1 and I8 in order to close the socket when the ball completely enters the same. Spaced stop lugs |02 extend upwardly from -the base I0 to limit the outward swinging movement of the sections I1 and I8. It will be noted that the spring I 00 is so connected to the locking shaft 19 and the locking member 8| as to have the dual functionr of acting to retain the locking member in the recess 9!! when it is moved to its inoperative position and also coacts with the compression spring 32 to retain the locking member in engagement with the movable sections I1 and I8 of the socket when the latter are in their closed position. Thus, simple, eflicient and positive means are provided for automatically connecting the expenditure of time and eiort and for releasing the tractor from the trailer. Y

It will be seen that the locking assembly is admirably suited for connecting towing vehicles such as a tractor or a tank to a three-point suspension trailer, and is particularly suitable for use with mobile artillery in which a tank is provided with moves into the recess,

the socket permits the tractor to be suspended from the trailer, due to the fact that the upper sides of the arms 89 (Fig. 7) may be moved to engage the top of the locking member 8l. Because of the automatic opening and closing of the coupling assembly, it is unnecessary forithe operator to leave his seat in the cab or other' place in order to insure the trailer being quickly and positively connected to the tractor or released therefrom.

It is to `be understood that the form ofinven- -tion shown and described is merely illustrative socket comprising a fixed section and a .pair of movable sections adapted to be moved to opened and closed postions relative -to the ilxed section, pressure means normally urging the movable sections toward each other to retain the ball in the socket, a locking member pivoted on the base and arranged to be moved to maintain the movable sections in their closed position, and means operatively connected to the pressure means and e the locking member for releasing the pressure on the movable sections and for moving. the locking member away from the movable sections to allow withdrawal of the coupling ball from the socket.

2. In combination with a tractor, coupling means for releasably connecting a trailer thereto, said coupling means including abase having a socket arranged toreceive a coupler ball, said socket comprising a xed sectionand a pair of movable sections adapted to be movedto opened tractor to the trailer at a minimum and closed positions relative to the fixed section, pressure means normally urging the movable sections toward each other to retain the ball in the socket, and arranged to be moved to maintain the movable sections in their closed position; means operatively connected to the pressure means and the locking member for releasing the pressure on the withdrawal of the coupling ball from the socket, and yieldable means maintaining the locking member in its locked position.

3. In combination with a tractor, couplingv through a horizontal angle y a locking member pivoted on the base relative tothe x'ed section,

ble sections in their closed position, means operatively connected to the pressure means andthe locking member for releasing the pressure on the movable sections and for moving the locking member away from the movable sections to allow withdrawal ofthe coupling ball from the socket, and means operatively associated with the locking member for maintaining the movable sections `in their open position.

4. In combination with a tractor, coupling means for releasably connecting a trailer thereto, said coupling means including a base having a socket arranged to receive a coupler ball, said socket comprising a iixed section and a pair of movable sections adapted to be moved to opened and closed positions relative to the iixed section, pressure means normally urging the movable sections toward each other to retain the ball in the socket, a' locking member p'ivoted on the base andV arranged to' be moved from an inoperative position to engage the movable sectionswhen the latter are in their closed postion, means operatively connected to the pressure means and the locking member for releasing the pressure on the movable sections and for moving the locking member away from the movable sections to its inoperative position to allow withdrawal of the coupling ball from the socket, and yieldable means operatively associated with the locking member for maintaining the same in its inoperative position, and also for maintaining the locking member in its locked position.

5. In combination with a tractor or the like, means for releasably connecting a trailer thereto, said means including a base on the tractor having a socket arranged to receive a depending member on the trailer, said socket comprising a fixed section and a pair of movable sections arranged to be moved into opened and closed positions relative to the fixed section, compression means means for releasably connecting a trailer relative to the xed section, compression means engaging said movable sectionsv for normally maintaining them in their closed position, a locking member pivotally mounted on the base and arranged to be raised over the movable sections when the latter are closed, means for releasing the pressure of said compression means and for moving the locking member away from the movable sections to allow withdrawal of the depending vmember on the trailer from the socket, and yieldable means for maintaining the locking member against the base and also in its raised position.

8. In combination with a tractor,l coupling means for releasably connecting a trailer thereto, sad coupling means including a base on the tractor having a socket arranged to receive a coupler ball on the trailer, said socket comprising a xed section and a pair of movable sections pivoted at one end to the base and arranged to swing outwardly at the other end to allow the ball to be moved into and out of the socket, said movable sections having spaced forwardly extending arms, a compression spring confined between said arms to urge the opposite ends of the movable sections toward each other, an operating shaft revolubly mounted on the base, and means operatively connecting the shaft to said spaced arms for releasing the pressure of the spring against the movable section to allow withdrawal of the coupler ball from the socket.

9. In combination with a tractor, coupling thereto,

said coupling means including a base on the tracengaging said pivoted sections for normally maintaining them in their closed position al and arranged to be raised over the movable sections when the latter are closed, and means for releasing the pressure of said compression means and for moving the locking member away'from the movable sections to allow withdrawal of the depending member on the trailer from the socket.

6. In combination with a tractor or the like, means for releasably connecting a trailer thereto, said means including a base on the tractor having a socket arranged to receive a depending member on the trailer, said v socket comprising a fixed section and a pair 'of movable sections arranged `to be moved into opened and closed positions 'ffielative to the fixed section, compression means their closed position, a lock member pivoted to the tor having a socket arranged to receive a coupier ball on the trailer, said socket comprising a fixed section and a pair of movable sections pivoted at one end to the base and arranged to swing outwardly at the other end to allow the ball to be moved into and out of the socket, said movable sections having spaced forwardly extending arms, a compression spring confined between said arms to urge the .opposite ends of the movable sections toward each other, an operating shaftrevolubly mounted on the base,A Aand means operatively connecting the shaft tov said spaced arms for releasing the pressure of the spring against the movable sections to lallow withdrawal of the coupler ball from the socket, a ylocking moved into locking engagement with the movable sections when the latter are in their closed position, and means operablesbysaid shaft for releasing the locking member from the movable sections.

10. In combination with a tractor, coupling means for releasably connecting a trailer thereto said coupling means including a base on the tractor having a socket arranged to receive a coupler ball on the trailer, said socket comprising a iixed section and apair of movable sections adapted to w be moved to open and closed positions relative to means for releasing the pressure of said com` i i pression means and for lmoving the locking meniber away from the movable sections toallow withdrawal of the depending member on the trailer from the socket.

7. In combination with a. tractor or the like, means for releasably connecting a trailer thereto, said means including a base on the tractor having s; socket arranged to receive a depending member on the trailer, said socket comprising a fixed section and a pair oi movable sections arranged to be moved into opened and closed positions the fixed section, pressure means normally` urging the movable sections toward each other to retain the ball in the socket, said base having a ramp for guiding the ball into the socket, a locking member pivoted toL the base, said locking member arranged to assume an inoperative position substantially parallel with the ramp and to be moved to engage the movable'sections when the latter are in their closed position. and means operatively connected to the pressure means and the locking member for releasing the pressure on the movable sections and for moving the locking member away from the movable sections to allow withdrawal of the ball from the socket.

base and arranged to be 11. In combination with a, tractor, coupling means for releasably connecting a trailer thereto, said coupling means including a base on the tractor having a socket arranged t`o receive a coupler ball on the trailer, said socket comprising a fixed sectionv and a pair of movable sections adapted to bemoved to opened and closed positions relative to the fixed sections; pressure means normally urging the movable sections toward each other to retain the ball in the socket, said base for guiding the ball into the l having a ramp socket, a locking member pivoted to the base, said locking member arranged to assume an inoperative position substantially parallel with the ramp and to be moved to engage the movable sections 'when thelatter operatively connected to the pressure means and are in their closed position, means the locking member for releasing thepressure on the movable sections and for moving the locking member away from the movable sections to allow withdrawal of the ball from the socket, and means for maintaining the movable sections in their open positions. f

-12. In combination with a tractor, coupling means for releasably connectinga trailer thereto,

said coupling means including a base on the tractor having a socket arranged to receive a coupler ball on the trailer, said socket comprising a xed section/and a pair of movable sections adapted to be moved to opened and closed positions relative tions relative to the iixed section, pressure means normally urging the movable sections toward each other to retain the ball in the socket, said base having a ramp for guiding the ball into the socket, a locking member pivoted to the base, said locking member arranged to assume an inoperative position substantially parallel with the ramp and to be moved to engage the movable sections when the latter are yin their closed position, means'operatively connected to the'pressure means and the to the xed sections, pressure means normally r urging the movable sections toward each other to retain the ball inthe socket, said base having a, ramp for guiding the ball into the socket, a locking member pivoted to the base, said locking member arranged to assume an inoperative position substantially parallel with the ramp and to be moved to engage the movable sections when p the latter are in their closed position, means operatively connected to the pressure means and the locking member for releasing the pressure on the movable sections and for moving the locking member away from the movable sections to allow withdrawal of the ball from the socket, and means operatively connected to the locking member for maintaining the movable sections in th'eir `open position.

13.111 combination with-a tractor, coupling means for'relea'sably connecting a trailer thereto, said .coupling means including a. base on the tractor having a socket arranged to receive a coupler ball on the trailer,` said socket comprising ay xed section and a pair of movable sections adapted-to be moved to opened and closed positions relative to the xed section, pressure means normally urging the movable sections toward each other to retain the ball in the socket, said base having a ramp for guiding the ball into the socket, a locking member -pivoted to the base, said locking member arranged to assume an inoperative position substantially parallel with the ramp and to i be moved to engage the movable sections when the latter are in their closed position, means operatively connected to the pressure means andthe locking member for releasing the pressure 'on the movable sections and for moving the locking member away from the movable sections to allow withdrawal of the ball fromthe socket, and said I locking member having means arranged to engage the under side of the movable sections to maintain them in their open position.

14. In combination with a tractor, coupling means for releasably connecting a trailer thereto, said coupling means including a base on the tractor having a socket arranged to receive a locking member for releasing the pressure on the movable sections and for moving the locking member away from the movable sections to allow'withdrawal of the ball from `the socket, and yieldable means for maintaining the locking member in its inoperativeposition and also in engagement with the movable sections whenfthe latter are closed.

soc et.

16. In combination ball from the socket, and means operable by the locking member for maintaining the movable sections in their open positions.I

17. In combination with `a tractor, coupling .means for r-eleasably connecting a. trailer thereto,

'said coupling means including a base on the tractor having a socket arranged to receive a base, said locking member having upwardly extending spaced tail pieces, said base being provided with depressions for receiving said tail pieces, said locking member arranged to be swung upwardly to engage the movable sections when the latter are closed, said tail pieces when the locking member is in said recess projecting upwardly into the path of the ball coupler, and means operatively connected to the pressure means and the locking member for releasing the pressure on the movable sections and for moving the locking member away from the movable sections to allow withdrawal of the ball from the socket, said tail pieces when the movable sections are in their open position being moved upwardly to engage the movable sections, saidf coupler ball when moved upwardly on the ramp engaging the tail pieces to depress the same and release the tothe fixed section, pressure means normally urging the movable sections toward each other to retain Lthe ball in the socket, said base having a ramp for guiding the ball into the socket, said ramp having a recess, an inverted substantially U-shaped locking member pivoted to thev base and arranged when the movable sections are in their open position to extend into said recess, said base adjacent the upper end of the ramp having movable sections and raise the locking member to engage the movable sections when the ball is moved into the socket.

18. In combination with a tractor, coupling means for relasably connecting a trailer thereto, said coupling means including a base on the tractor having a socket arranged to receive a coupler ball on the trailer, said socket comprising a fixed section and a pair of movable sections adapted to be movedl to opened and closed positions relative to the xed section, pressure means normally urging the movable sections toward each other to retain the ball in the socket, said base having a ramp for guiding the ball into the socket,

said ramp having a recess, an inverted substantially U-shaped locking member pivoted to the base and arranged when the movable sections are in their open position to extend into said recess, said base adjacent the upper end of the ramp having spaced depressions, said locking member having spaced tail pieces arranged to be moved into said depressions, said tail pieces extending upwardly from the base when the locking member is in said recess and having portions engaging the movable sections to remain the latter in their open position and portions disposed in the path of the coupler ball, said tail pieces being released from the movable sections and moved into said depressions by the coupler ball as the latter moves toward the socket, said locking member upon depression ofv the tail pieces being swung upwardly to engage the movable sections when the ball moves into the socket, and means operatively connected to the pressure means and the locking member for releasing the pressure on the movable sections and for moving the locking member away from the movable sections to allow withdrawal of the ball from the socket and eect engagement of the tail pieces with the movable sections to maintain the latter in their open position.

19. In combination with a. tractor, coupling means for releasably connecting a trailer thereto, said coupling means including 'a base on the tractor having a socket arranged to receive a coupler ball on the trailer, said socket comprising a ixed section and a pair of movable sections adapted to be moved to opened and closed positions relative spaced depressions, said locking member having spaced tail pieces arranged to be moved into said depressions, said tail pieces extending upwardly from the base when the locking member is in said recess and having portions engaging the movable sections to retain the latter in their open position and portions disposed in the path of the coupler ball, said tail pieces being released from the movable sections and moved into said depressions by the coupler ball as the latter moves toward the socket, said lockingmember upon depression of the tail pieces being swung upwardly to engage the movable sections when the ball moves into the socket, means operatively connected to the pressure means and the locking member for releasing the pressure on the movable sections and for moving the locking member away from the movable sections to allow withdrawal of the ball from the socket and effect engagement of the tail pieces with the movable sections to maintain the latter in their open position, and yieldable means operable by said last mentioned means for maintaining the locking member in said recess and also in engagement with the movable sections when the latter are in their closed position.

20. In a coupling assembly, a base having a socket, said socket including a fixed section and a pair of coacting movable sections pivoted to the base and arranged to be moved toward the xed section to close the socket and away therefrom to open the socket,' compression means normally urging the movable sections to close the socket, a rock shaft extending transversely of the base and positioned below the compression means, and means operatively connecting the rock shaft to the compression means so that upon rotation oi.' the rock shaft in one direction to contract the compression means so as to allow the movable sections to be moved away from the iixed section.

21. In a coupling assembly, a base having a socket, said socket including a xed section and a pair of coacting movable sections pivotedv on the base and arranged to be moved towardthe iixed section to close the socket and away therefrom to open the socket, spring means normally urging the movable sections to close the socket, a shaft revolubly connected, to the base, spaced dog levers movable on the b'ase and having arms engaging the ends of the #spring means, and a universal coupling connecting the shaft to the dog levers so that upon rotation of the shaft the dog levers are` actuated to compress the spring means. ,f

22.V In a lcoupling assembly, a base having a socket, said socket including a xed section and a pair of coacting movable sections pivoted on the base and arranged to be moved toward the xed section to close the socket and away therefrom toiopen the socket, spring means normally urging the movable sections to close the socket, a 'shaft revolubly connected to the base, spaced dog levers movable on the base and having engaging y A upon rotation of the shait to move'the arms of a base having a fixed section and sections pivoted on means, and drag links connected at their outer ends to the dog levers, and a rod pivotally connected to the inner ends of said drag links and to said shaft, the parts being constructed and arranged so that upon rotation of said shaft the l rod swings the drag iinks downwardly and the" arms of the dog levers inwardly to compress the spring means and. release the tension on the movable sections of the socket.

LQUIS YAGER. JOHN V7. CUMNIINGS. 

